THIS DATE IN THE BOCA BEACON
FIVE YEARS AGO
The television documentary called “Mullet and Mangroves: The Pioneer Fishing Familes of Cayo Costa” had aired, featuring cameos by Huddy Coleman Capt. Robert Johnson. Effie Joiner co-produced it.
TEN YEARS AGO
More than three inches of rain fell on the island in five days’ time, leaving us a bit soggy and moist. The Gasparilla Island Bridge Authority received their paperwork for a State Infrastructure Bank loan to pay for the new bridges.
FIFTEEN YEARS AGO
Long-time Boca Grande fishing guide Laurence W. “Red” Hall died at the age of 92.
TWENTY YEARS AGO
Islanders looked back fondly on their days spent with frequent visitor Katharine Hepburn, who passed away. The island’s bars went “smokeless” … sort of.
TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO
A 157-pound tarpon won the ninth Millers Marina Tarpon Tide Tournament for Capt. Chris Klingel. The World’s Richest was on deck for July 8 and 9, with 60 teams signed up.
THIRTY YEARS AGO
There were 40 entrants signed up for the World’s Richest Tarpon Tournament, with more coming in at the last minute. Capt. Babe Darna took his team to win Millers’ fifth tournament of the season.
THIRTY-FIVE YEARS AGO
A green parakeet was becoming famous for feeding every day at Margaret Polk’s bird feeder across from The Barnichol. No one knew who the bird belonged to, but it loved Margaret’s feeder.
